Started in 1998, the Rouge River Watershed Frog & Toad Survey is a volunteer listening survey as part of efforts to assess wildlife habitat for the Rouge River Area of Concern.

Volunteers are trained to distinguish the breeding calls of the seven frogs and one toad found in the watershed. Surveyors choose a quarter square mile area within the watershed that they survey independently on warm spring nights. Volunteer surveyors commit to going out to assigned wetland blocks at least twice a month from March through July after dark, listening for at least three minutes, and recording what species of frogs and toads are calling. We need community scientists like YOU to help collect this important data for Rouge River wetland health.

Volunteers attend a two-hour training workshop to learn about wetlands, distinguish breeding calls, and discover how to find the Rouge River amphibians. The 2026 Training Workshop will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026 from 10 am – 12 pm at the Livonia Civic Center Library.

New surveyors must attend the training. Veteran surveyors are not required but are encouraged to attend.